CHAPTER 20
15 Days Later
Prisha's mom watched Prisha and Aditya happily chatting in the living room, a thought forming in her mind. She was planning to arrange a marriage between Prisha and Aditya. But before proceeding, she wanted to free Prisha from her previous fake relationship. She didn't want any sadness or pain in her daughter's life, she believe Aditya would be the man who would give everything to her daughter.
With these thoughts, she picked up her phone and called Shaurya’s father.
That Night
Shaurya entered his house tiredly and heard his father call out, “Shaurya, I want to talk to you.”
Turning toward his father, Shaurya waited for him to speak. “Prisha’s mother is planning to marry her again. She wants you to sign the divorce papers. I’ve had them prepared. Please sign them,” his father said, handing him the documents.
Shaurya felt the ground slip from beneath his feet. Signing these papers meant losing Prisha forever, but he knew he had to do it for her happiness. She deserved everything good in life, which he couldn’t provide. He picked up the papers and said, “I will sign them and send them to her.” With that, he walked toward his room.
Tears streamed down his face as he looked at the papers. He chuckled bitterly, “Prisha, you made me cry, baby.”
Wiping his tears, he walked over to a small bar in his room and started drinking. This was his life , full of darkness and pain.
2 Days Later
Shivay looked at Shaurya, who was driving the car with a pain expression. They were on their way to Prisha’s house to deliver the divorce papers. Shivay, concerned for his friend, tried one last time to make him reconsider.
“Shaurya, are you sure about your decision? Think about this once again. I think you should talk to Prisha,” Shivay suggested.
Shaurya shook his head, his voice firm. “I love her forever, but I am toxic for her. I don’t have the power to keep her happy. She is not a reform center; she is a girl who deserves a life partner who can give her all the happiness and protect her. And I can't even protect her,from myself."
Before Shivay could speak further, Shaurya added, “I don’t want to talk about this. She is going to marry Aditya, and I’m happy for her.” Shivay stayed silent, understanding there was no point in arguing.
They stepped out of the car and were about to enter Prisha’s house when they heard her angry voice from inside.
“Mom, how can you think I will marry Aditya?”
Inside Prisha’s House
Prisha was standing in the living room, her face flushed with frustration. Her mother looked at her with concern and confusion.
“Prisha, I only want what’s best for you. Aditya is a good man, and he cares for you deeply,” her mother said gently.
"I’ve asked Shaurya's father to send over the divorce papers. Aditya will keep you happy; you deserve someone like him." Prisha's mother said, trying to convince her daughter to consider marrying Aditya.
Shaurya closed his eyes painfully. Everyone thought the same thing: Prisha deserved a man like Aditya, not him.
He heard Prisha's soft voice break through his thoughts. "Mom, I love Shaurya so much. It was acting for him, but for me it was true love.My heart belongs to him. I can't marry anyone else. I can't give his place to anyone."
Prisha cupped her mother's face tenderly. "I know you're worried about me and my future. But marrying Aditya for selfish reasons would be wrong. He doesn't deserve to be with someone whose heart belongs to someone else."
She continued, "Mom, please. I'm happy with you. I don't want any man in my life. Please understand." Her mother hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Why couldn't Shaurya see your goodness? He made the biggest mistake. I will never forget him for breaking your heart."
Prisha said nothing, hugging her mother more tightly,Shaurya watched them from a distance, tears welling in his eyes. He couldn't stay any longer and hurriedly walked to his car. Seeing his condition, Shivay offered to drive.
Shaurya was lost in his thoughts until the car stopped. He frowned, looking at the seashore. "Why did you stop here?"
"You have a lot to think about. I thought this was the best place," Shivay replied.
Shaurya nodded and got out of the car, sitting on the sand and staring at the waves. He recalled Prisha's words and a small smile appeared on his face. "I didn’t deserve this much love, Prisha. Thank you for loving a man like me."
As he looked at the divorce papers, the weight of his inner demons pressed on him. He knew staying with Prisha meant facing his fears, but the thought of change felt insurmountable. The fear of having a child still gripped him tightly.
Shivay's voice broke through his reverie. "You’re doing everything for her, but she’s not happy, Shaurya. What’s the use of all this?"
Shaurya turned toward him. "But what should I do? I can’t keep her happy. Maybe after months or years, she’ll realize she was wrong in choosing me. Until then, she doesn’t have any other option. Maybe someday she'll agree to marry Aditya."
Shivay sighed, sitting beside him. "Answer me truthfully. God forbid, if Prisha lost her legs, would you leave her?"
"What? Never," Shaurya answered, his expression shocked. He silently prayed for Prisha, unable to bear the thought of anything happening to her.
Then he asked further,"What kind of question is that?"
"Just answer honestly, Shaurya. Why will you never leave her?" He asked
Shaurya sighed deeply, looking out at the sea, “No, I wouldn’t leave her. I would never leave her because she means everything to me.”
Shivay nodded, "Exactly. Just like that, Prisha's love for you is unconditional. She knows your flaws and fears and still chooses you. Love isn’t about finding the perfect person; it’s about seeing an imperfect person perfectly. She deserves the chance to decide for herself what will make her happy."
Shaurya was silent for a moment, reflecting on Shivay’s words. "I know she loves me, Shivay. But I don’t want her to suffer because of me. My fears, my issues with having children, they won’t just disappear. I don’t want her to live with my baggage."
Shivay placed a hand on Shaurya’s shoulder. "Relationships are about growing together. Yes, you have fears, but you can work through them. Prisha is willing to be with you through it all. Don’t underestimate her strength or her love."
Shaurya looked down at the divorce papers in his hands, feeling the weight of his decisions. "But what if I can’t change? What if I fail her again?"
Shivay shook his head. "You won’t know until you try. You’ve already made progress by acknowledging your issues. The next step is to work on them, and you don’t have to do it alone. Prisha is there for you, and so am I. But you have to make the choice to fight for your happiness and hers."
Shaurya pulled his hair in frustration,"I don't understand what to do, Shivay. I want her to be happy, but I know I can't give her that happiness. I wanted to change for her, but I'm scared. What if I never change?"
Shivay's next words caught Shaurya off guard. "Give her the divorce papers, Shaurya."
Shaurya stared at him in shock, but Shivay continued. "I'll talk to the judge. They can put a condition that you both have to stay together for three months. Use that time, Shaurya. Try to figure out what's best for Prisha."
Shaurya looked at Shivay for a long moment, then nodded. "You're right." They spent the next hour discussing their plan in detail, then drove home.
Five days later,
Shaurya and Prisha sat in the judge’s chamber, she looked at Shaurya, trying hard to control her tears. Today, their relationship was about to officially end.
It took all of Shaurya's strength not to meet her gaze. He knew she was looking at him with accusing eyes. He silently prayed to God to show him the right path. He wanted to use these three months to change himself, to battle his inner demons, and to become the perfect man for his Prisha.
The judge's voice broke through his thoughts. "You have to stay together for three months. After three months, if you still want a divorce, we will grant it."
Shaurya remained stoic, but Prisha was shocked. She couldn't fathom staying with him for three months. It was already hard enough trying to forget him. If she lived with him, it would be impossible to move on. She immediately protested, "No, I don’t want to stay with him in his house."
Shaurya sighed, anticipating her reaction. He gestured to the judge, who cleared his throat and said, "Sorry, ma’am, it's a rule we can’t change. If you have an issue, you can talk to him, and he can shift into your house."
"Yes, he has to shift into my house. I am not going to his house," Prisha said confidently, certain he would never agree to leave his luxurious home for her small one. But she was stunned when he replied, "Okay, I don’t have any issue."
Prisha couldn’t believe her ears. How could he agree to stay with her for three months? The judge continued, "Great, from tomorrow onwards, you will stay together for three months." He signed the papers and handed them over for Shaurya and Prisha to sign.
Shaurya walked over to Shivay and relayed everything. Shivay said, "Good, everything is going according to our plan. What was Prisha's reaction?"
Before Shaurya could respond, they heard Prisha's angry voice. She stormed over and said, "You are a rich and powerful man. Go and talk to the judge. I don’t want to stay with you."
"Do you want me to bribe the judge?" Shaurya asked, rolling his eyes.
"What?" she asked, shocked. "No, when did I say anything about a bribe?"
"Just now. You said I’m rich, which implies using my money to convince him, doesn’t it?" Shaurya replied with a smirk.
Prisha gritted her teeth, unable to find a comeback. She turned to Shivay and pleaded, "Bhai, please go and convince the judge."
Shivay, whom she treated like a brother, replied innocently, "Prisha, you know it’s the rules. Moreover, it's a personal matter between a husband and wife. What could I say?"
Prisha stomped her foot in frustration and walked toward her house.
As Prisha entered the house angrily, Tina noticed her mood. "I thought you would come home crying, but you look furious. What happened? Didn’t he give you alimony?"
Ignoring Tina, Prisha walked to her room. Her mother stopped her and asked, "What happened, Prisha?"
Prisha explained the situation and said, "Tomorrow, he is coming to stay here. Clean the guest room for him." She then retreated to her room.
Her mother sighed, while Tina scoffed, "It’s all a waste of time. Shaurya will never accept her as his wife." With that, Tina walked outside, leaving Prisha's mother deep in thought.